PEN: Call to Action for Aron Atabek (Kazakhstan)

PEN International is deeply concerned at reports that the imprisoned poet Aron Atabek – who is in ill health – has been tortured or otherwise ill-treated by prison guards. According to the poet’s son, Atabek has suffered regular beatings on the head and neck during his incarceration in Pavlodar prison. There is an absolute prohibition on the use of torture or other ill-treatment under international law. PEN International calls on the Kazakh authorities to protect Aron Atabek from all forms of torture or other ill-treatment, to investigate the reports that he has been beaten while in detention, to bring to justice anyone suspected of abuses, and to provide him with appropriate medical care for his ailments.

In December 2012 (whilst in prison on other charges), Atabek was sentenced to two years’ solitary confinement in a maximum security jail in Arkalyk- 1,600km away from his family – for writing The Heart of Eurasia, a book that fiercely criticised President Nursultan Nazarbayev. In March 2014, Atabek was moved to a prison in Pavlodar (1,400km from his family).

Following a recent prison visit, Atabek’s son told PEN that his father has been regularly placed in a solitary confinement, that he has suffered frequent beatings by the prison guards and that some of his prison writings – critical of President Nazarbayev – have been confiscated by the KNB (formerly known as the KGB).

Aron Atabeg (c) Kazis Toguzbaev (RFE/RL)

According to the poet’s son, the prison authorities are also continuing to deny Atabek adequate medical attention, despite his deteriorating health. Atabek suffers (or has suffered) from the following conditions: coronary artery disease, chronic gastritis, cerebral sclerosis, lumbar back pain, swollen knee joints and a pinched trigeminal nerve. Due to his back and knee problems, Atabek walks with great difficulty. In the absence of appropriate medical care, Atabek’s son tried to provide his father with medicine during his recent visit. However, this was prevented by the prison guards. Atabek’s supporters have sent packages of medicine, and even crutches, to the poet, but according to his son, these have been withheld from the poet by the prison authorities.

Other Information

On Torture:

Kazakhstan is a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), both of which prohibit in absolute terms the use of any form of torture or other ill-treatment. As a state party to these international treaties, the Kazakh authorities also have the obligation to investigate all reports of torture or other ill-treatment, to prosecute anyone responsible for such acts and to ensure that any victim of an act of torture obtains redress and has an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation, including the means for as full rehabilitation as possible.

On Free Expression in Kazakhstan:

In May 2014, PEN International, in collaboration with Article 19, made a submission to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of Kazakhstan in which we highlighted the harsh conditions in which Aron Atabek was being held and called on the Kazakh authorities to comply with the UN’s basic rules for the treatment of prisoners.

Write to the Kazakh authorities calling on them to protect Aron Atabek from all forms of torture and ill treatment, to investigatethe reports that he has been beaten while in detention, and to bring to justice anyone suspected of abuses;